“In what has evolved into a Golden Era of prep distance running, Jackson Heidesch more than did his part to ensure the Hawkeye State was represented at the forefront. Competing at the HOKA Festival of Miles this spring, the Duke University-bound standout became just the 20th prep in history to break the four-minute mile in setting a new state record and staking his claim as the greatest high school distance runner ever to compete for the state of Iowa.”

Rich Gonzalez

editor of PrepCalTrack.com

Athletic Excellence

The state’s 2022-23 Gatorade Boys Cross Country Player of the Year, the 6-foot-3, 155-pound senior broke the 4-minute mile this past season to break the state record in the event. Heidesch crossed the line in fourth place at the HOKA Festival of Miles with a time of 3:59.08, joining an elite group of high schoolers to crack the four-minute threshold. He is the only Iowa prep ever to do so. His mile time ranked No. 4 nationally among boys prep competitors in 2023. He also swept the 1600- and 3200-meter titles at the state meet, clocking times of 4:07.28 and 9:06.86, respectively.

Academic Achievement

Heidesch has maintained a weighted 4.32 GPA in the classroom. He has signed a National Letter of Intent to compete on an athletic scholarship at Duke University this fall.

Exemplary Character

Heidesch has volunteered locally with the Meals From the Heartland and the Special Olympics in addition to serving as a peer tutor. He has also donated his time to Ut Fidem (“Keep The Faith”), a faith-based organization.